If you grew up in Orange County in the ’80s or ’90s, then you probably hung out at Tomorrowland Terrace (TLT) dancing or know someone who did. It was a wholesome place to pick up on members of the opposite sex, grab a burger, giggle, and dance. Disneyland management is funny about TLT; they go for years running the dance floor as a place for teens to hang out and then stop it because it becomes too crowded, too this, or too that, only to reopen it years later all over again. The cycle seems to have repeated itself over the last 20 or so years.

Well, folks, TLT is BACK and boy does it make me feel OLD! The last time I remember dancing at TLT I was in college and had Will Friedle from the show Boy Meets World on tour. We danced and had a blast. I remember looking over at my friend Millie and yelling, “Can you believe we are getting paid over time for this?” Ahhh, memories. Now, as an old lady of 34, you couldn’t pay me to dance at TLT–even over time pay.

However, if I were a tween or teen, I’m sure that dancing at TLT Dance Club this summer would be right up my alley. Instead of a house band, as in years passed, Disneyland has opted to employ dancers (think cheerleaders) to keep the crowd excited and moving to the beat. Throughout the summer, DJs and bands will rock the terrace with family-friendly hits.

At the press event Thursday, June 11 I hung out with all of the beautiful and super cool people while watching Mitchel Musso, from Hannah Montana, belt out his songs from his new CD. Ummm…I didn’t know who he was or what he was singing, but I was told this information was true, so I’m sticking to it. Check out my photographic evidence…

Interested in checking out TLT Dance Club with your teen or tween? Here’s a list of this summer’s performers.

June 12 to 13 – Suburban Legends

June 15 to 18 –102.7 KIIS-FM

June 19 to 20 – Reunion

June 22 to 25 – Star 94.1 San Diego

June 26 to 27 – Tomasina

June 29 to July 2 – Latino and La Raza

July 3 to 4 – Suburban Legends

July 6 to 9 – 104.3 MYfm

July 10 to 11 – The Bolts

July 13 to 16 – POWER 106

July 17 to 18 – Tomasina

July 20 to 23 – Super Estrella

July 24 to 25 – Reunion

July 26 – Instant Replay

July 27 to 30 – 102.7 KIIS-FM

Aug. 3 to 6 – Channel 933 San Diego

Aug. 10 to 13 – 104.3 MYfm

Aug. 14 to 15 – Reunion

Aug. 17 to 20 – POWER 106

Aug. 21 to 22 – Tomasina

During the day, preschoolers and kids can still attend the Jedi Training Academy at Tomorrowland Terrace. TLT Dance Club will be rockin’ out nightly through August 23.

On June 12, Disneyland unveiled it’s newest fireworks extravaganza, Magical. I was lucky enough to preview the fireworks at the summer media event on June 11. The show and its accompanying music are beautiful. Eden Espinosa, broadway star (she played Elphaba in the L.A. presentation of the show Wicked for those of you in So Cal) and former Disneyland Cast Member has recorded a wonderful medley of Disney classics that will melt your heart. The show is amazingly choreographed and features fireworks exclusive to the Disneyland Resort. Perhaps most breath-taking is when Dumbo takes to the sky flapping his ears and waving with his trunk. It was an amazing sight to behold. That moment in the fireworks show is what Disney magic is all about. I got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Heck, I’ve got both of those just writing this and looking at the picture to the left.

This Tuesday’s terrific tip comes to Babes in Disneyland readers from John Addis, senior show director at the Disneyland Resort. In the video below, you will not only get a FANTASTIC tip about an often overlooked place to watch the Disneyland fireworks, but you will also hear from Eden Espinoza and her feelings about being part of Disneyland history and singing the song for the fireworks presentation.

Magical fireworks can be seen nightly through September 7. It is composed of five sequences, each celebrating a different magical experience.It begins with “The Magic of Childhood,” represented by the appearance of Tinker Bell waving her wand to launch the fireworks. Next, Geppetto is heard wishing that Pinocchio could become a real boy; sparkles in the sky announce that the Blue Fairy is near to demonstrate “The Magic of a Wish.” The voice of Mary Poppins teaches “The Magic of Imagination.” Then “The Magic of a Mother’s Love” inspires little Dumbo to fly. Music from the tales of Disney princesses leads into “The Magic of Love’s First Kiss.” And

Here in southern California, it’s hard to believe that the dog days of summer are almost here when you look outside and see dreary June gloom all around us. Nonetheless, before you know it we’ll soon be dealing with sweltering hot days and blackout days with the So Cal annual passes. Anticipating my seven-week hiatus away from the Happiest Place on Earth, I am trying to pack in as much time as possible in Disneyland now through June 26.

On Monday I loaded up like a pack mule and took the boys for a five and a half hour trip to Disneyland. In true tour guide alumnus fashion we booked it through the park and packed in a whole lot of activity in an otherwise crowded day. We rode the Disneyland Railroad followed by the Monorail. I was pretty excited to find there to be absolutely no line at the Monorail–an attraction we usually skip. Apparently, 10 to 11 in the morning is a great time to go on the Monorail because most guests are not using it as transportation to Downtown Disney at that time. After that we ate lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace where the boys sat in fear and awe of the Jedi Training Academy. Oh, and I got them to eat by telling them that Darth Vader was going to take them to the dark side if they didn’t shovel it in quickly. (No nasty letters please, I know this is not a way to instill good eating habits, but it is a way toget them to eat fast when I’m on the move!) After lunch, we cruised over and used the fastpasses we had picked up for Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters on our way into Tomorrowland earlier that morning. I don’t want to brag or anything, but I did get my highest score ever–over 200,000 points.

Anyway, after the Buzz attraction, we headed to Adventureland where we boarded the world famous Jungle Cruise. The Jungle Cruise is one of our favorite attractions and we rarely miss it every time we visit. Our skipper, Sherry, was fantastic. She really got the boat going and received applause from the entire boat when we reached the dock at the end.

After the Jungle Cruise, we went to the Enchanted Tiki

Room. My kids are seriously addicted to this place. My little guy giggled and wiggled with delight. After we went over to Fantasyland and on Storybookland Canal Boats. Before we left, we even had time to catch some little performances by Mary Poppins and Bert at Sleeping Beauty Castle and Mickey and his friends in Town Square and buy Brandon his first set of mouse ears.

Have you ever walked by the Candy Palace and felt sucked in by the delicious aroma of the candy inside? The smell is almost intoxicating. The truth of the matter is that the sweet vanilla smell you get a whiff of is not the smell of the candy from inside at all. If you look just below the candy makers’ windows you will see what looks like small green decorations worked into the architecture. Those little green circles are actually vents that pump out a sweet vanilla scent (think one of those Glade Plug-ins on steroids). Genius, right?!

I can’t believe that it’s been three weeks since I said I’d be back with more Disneyland summer information. Since most of my readers are moms, you know how it is, life just gets in the way. Between a big project I’ve been working on at work and wrapping up the redesign of Babes in Disneyland (the site), I’ve been swamped.

I’m excited to tell everyone about a new dining experience back at Big Thunder Ranch. For those of you who aren’t well acquainted with Disneyland, Big Thunder Ranch is nestled along Big Thunder Trail, which is the trail that curves behind Frontierland and leads to the west entrance of Fantasyland. Over the years, Big Thunder Ranch has held a number of functions–from a petting zoo to a corporate picnic area to an outdoor theater for the Hunchback show back in the ’90s. Throughout the ages, it has also served as a barbeque restaurant from time to time, and that’s exactly what it’s back to today. Currently, Disneyland is featuring a new dining experience called, Celebration Roundup and Barbeque. At the recent Disneyland summer kick off event, I dined at the barbeque and enjoyed it’s ongoing entertainment offerings.

Many of you may recall the short-lived Aladdin’s Oasis lunch/dinner show of the 1990s. The food was excellent, as was the show, but it just didn’t make it. Price, coupled with hard and fast show times, seemed to sink it. The Celebration Roundup and Barbeque is the same basic concept–entertainment and a meal. Here’s the major difference. The shows and character interactions are ongoing. There is constantly something going on and there is not set show time. Guests can come and dine as their schedules see fit and will never “miss” the show. The price is still a bit steep in my book at $28.99 for 10 and older and $12.99 for ages 3 to 9.

Don’t get me wrong; the food was fantastic. We dined on tender chicken and pork ribs, corn on the cob, corn bread, watermelon, and beans. We also tried the vegetarian option of vegetable and barbequed tofu skewers. Delicious! The dessert presentation was nothing short of amazing. (See picture.) The desserts themselves were unbelievable. They are waffle cones filled about halfway with a mousse or other creamy concoction and then on top of the mouse is a cupcake topped with frosting. Seriously, it’s pretty out of control. On the plus side, we were told that Disney uses low fat cream cheese and they do not add extra
sugar to the icing or the cake. I thought it was a joke, but they were serious. Outside of Disneyland, I probably wouldn’t
be so concerned with the cost of this meal, but when the average family factors in the cost of admission tickets, this might be more than they can swing. I have a feeling this might become pretty popular with annual passholders who come all of the time and have already forgotten about the pain of paying for admission (and get a discount when dining at the park).

The meal is served family style with big bowls and platters brought to your table by happy cast members. And although it’s family style, everyone need not order the same thing (i.e. not everyone needs to each vegetarian, etc.) And in true family style, guests can eat until they are full.I suppose if you pig out at a late lunch, you could just snack for dinner, which in the long run could save a little money. Reservations can be made in advance by calling (714) 781-DINE. Walk-up reservations are also available.

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Babes In Disneyland combines the best of everything the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney Company has to offer families with young children and Disney fans alike, in addition to providing reviews and information on the latest travel products, Southern California destinations and lodging options and much more for families.